Full-body board sports training device

ABSTRACT

A board-based training device is provided. The board-based training device can comprise at least one piece having an underlying unbalanced surface. The unbalanced surface can be shaped to be unstable when placed on a ground. The piece can further have a support surface for supporting a deck. The training device can also include at least one securing mechanism for reversibly attaching the support surface of the piece against a bottom surface of the deck. The reversible attachment can secure the piece to the deck such that the movement of the secured piece with respect to the deck can be restrained. The unbalanced shape can be conical, the long axis of which being aligned with the long axis of the piece. The device can further include at least one attachment point for attaching at least one linkage.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application61/820,307, filed May 7, 2013. Priority is claimed to this earlier filedapplication and the contents of this earlier filed application isincorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sports training device.More specifically, the present invention relates to a sports trainingdevice for board based sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Board based sports such as snowboarding and surfboarding are sportswhich require extensive training to increase and maintain relatedskills. For example, snowboarding requires a slope covered in snow, ameans to get to the top of the slope, and the skills necessary tomaneuver a board attached to a boarder's feet as the boarder slides downthe slope. This takes specialized skills of strength, agility, andbalance. These specialized skills are difficult to master withoutconsistent access to snow and a slope. Unfortunately, the nature ofthese sports is such that participating in the actual sport may not befeasible all year round. For example, snow may not be available all yearround. Accordingly, different training equipment have been designed toallow training even when external conditions would not make it feasibleto participate in the sport. In order to facilitate training, thetraining equipment attempt to simulate at least a portion ofparticipating in the actual sport. It would therefore be advantageousfor the training equipment to provide as realistic an experience aspossible in order to be effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to provide a sports training device that obviates andmitigates at least one of the above-identified disadvantages of theprior art.

According to an aspect, a board-based training device is provided. Theboard-based training device can comprise at least one piece having anunderlying unbalanced surface. The unbalanced surface can be shaped tobe unstable when placed on a ground. The piece can further have asupport surface for supporting a deck. The training device can alsoinclude at least one securing mechanism for reversibly attaching thesupport surface of the piece against a bottom surface of the deck. Thereversible attachment can secure the piece to the deck such that themovement of the secured piece with respect to the deck can berestrained.

According to another aspect, a method of training based on a board-sporttraining device is provided. The method can comprise:

-   -   reversibly attaching, through a securing mechanism, the training        device to a deck such that the movement of at least one piece        with respect to the deck is restrained;    -   resting a bottom surface of the training device on the ground,        the bottom surface having an unbalanced shape;    -   tilting the training with respect to the ground based on the        unbalanced surface; and    -   receiving a reciprocal force at the training device, based on        the tilting, through a linkage mechanism attached to the        training device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the device will be clear after understanding thedetailed description along with the included drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the full-body board sports trainer.

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the full-body board sports trainer.

FIG. 3 is an inferior in the Z-plane view of the full-body board sportstrainer.

FIG. 4 is side view in the Y-plane of the full-body board sportstrainer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section at the dash seen in FIG. 1 of the full-bodyboard sports trainer.

FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b are inferior view of two configurations thefull-body board sports trainer can be used.

FIG. 7 is an overhead view of the full-body board sports trainerattached to an existing deck.

FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b are drawings of the full-body board sports trainerbeing used by a user in two different configurations.

FIG. 9 a and FIG. 9 b are drawings of the full-body board sports trainershowing examples of possible movements around an axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Board sports require strength, agility, balance, coordination, andreaction time as known by those skilled in the art. Balance is only onecomponent of board sports training. A full-body training device forboard sports is provided that can allow incorporating full-bodystrengthening, coordination, reaction time, and agility trainingrequired to succeed and excel at board sports. Namely, skill trainingbeyond simple balance training can be provided. Moreover, this can beaccomplished without using complicated designs including motors, pumps,levers, and other technologically complex designs.

According to an aspect, the present device:

a) may provide a full-body board sports training device that trains,balance, strength, agility, and coordination.

b) may provide a full-body board sports training device that can be usedwith an existing piece of board sports equipment.

c) may provide a full-body board sports training device that allows theuser to input forces in a direction other than gravity mimicking groundreaction forces making the simulation more accurate.

d) may provide a full-body board sports training device that iseconomical, easy to use, easy to store, and easy to transport.

e) may provide a full-body board sports training device that that maysecurely attach to an existing piece of board sports equipment to allowthe user to jump and engage in aggressive maneuvers when the deck isattached to the feet while attached to the device.

f) may provide a full-body board sports training device that canaccommodate a range of board sizes for specific board sports.

g) may provide a full-body board sports training device that the usercan train balance, strength, coordination, reaction time, and agility inonly the frontal plane in the beginning stages and then transitioning totraining balance, strength, and agility around a center axis.

h) may provide protection to the board to prevent damaging the board orthe surface.

More specifically, the present device relates to a device and method forstrengthening and training all of the muscles in the body required toengage physically in board sports.

In one example implementation, the board sports trainer, herein referredto as a device, is assembled using two pieces attached, via a securingmechanism, to any existing board including but not limited tosnowboards, wakeboards, surf boards, paddle boards, and others that willnow occur to a person of skill in the art and herein referred to as adeck. In variations, one, three or more pieces may be used. Universalterms are used to describe certain areas of a deck and these terms areused in reference to a user standing on a deck. The toe side refers tothe longitudinal portion of the deck closest to the toes of the user.The heel side refers to the longitudinal portion of the deck closets tothe heels of the user. The nose refers to the front end of the deck inrelation to the decks movement. The tail refers to the back end of thedeck in relation to the decks movement.

Some boards, including but not limited to snowboarding and wakeboarding,utilize bindings, which attach the board to the users' feet. This allowsthe user to perform movements and maneuvers such as turning and jumpingwith the deck securely attached to the feet.

In one variation, the pieces attached to the deck are a mirror image ofeach other. In another variation, the device can be a single piece.

The securing mechanism holds the deck firmly and securely to the deviceallowing maneuvers such as jumping, pivoting, ollieing, and othernecessary skills known to those skilled in the art of board sports canbe practiced.

The underlying surface of the board sports trainer is shaped to beunstable and is herein referred to as the unbalanced surface. In onevariation, the unbalanced surface resembles a cone shape with the baseof the cone flat while the apex resembles a ball or spherical shape. Inanother variation, the surface can resemble a cone with at least one endof the cylinder having a ball or spherical shape. In further variationswhere the device comprises more than one piece, the unbalanced surfaceof each piece may have the same shape. In yet other variations where thedevice comprises more than one piece, the unbalanced surface of one ormore pieces may have differing shapes.

Various configurations can be used when attaching the board sportstrainer to the deck. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 a, FIG. 8 a andFIG. 9 a the two pieces comprising the device can be attached to thedeck using a securing mechanism. The support surface of the piecescontacts the deck. The flat base of the underlying unbalanced surface ofone piece sits under the nose of the deck and the flat base of theunderlying surface cone of the second piece sits under the tail of thedeck. The apex ball shape is placed toward the midline of the deck. Whena user stands on the deck in the above-mentioned configuration the usercan tilt the device around X-axis by applying a force using the legs onthe toe side or the heel side of the deck. The user can also applyforces by shifting the weight to the nose or the tail of the deck. Ifthe deck being used has a binding system the user can attach the feet tothe deck and apply a compressive force with one leg while applying alifting force with the other leg, which can lift either the nose or thetail off of the ground. The user can also apply a tension force throughthe bands attached at the force-transmit attachment points to increasethe lifting or compressive force applied by the leg depending on theconfiguration of the cords. The user can also perform jumping maneuverswhen the feet are attached to the deck.

According to an alternative configuration the two pieces comprising thedevice are attached to the deck in a different arrangement. As shown inFIG. 6 b, FIG. 8 b, FIG. 9 b, in this configuration the round apex ofthe underlying surface cone of one unit sits under the nose of the deckand the round apex of the underlying unbalanced surface of one piecesits under the tail of the deck. When the user stands on the deck thesame movements described in the first configuration can be performed.When the deck being used has a binding system the user can attach thefeet to the deck and apply a compressive force with one leg whileapplying a lifting force with the other leg, which can lift either thenose or the tail off of the ground. The user can also apply a tensionforce through the bands attached at the force-transmit attachment pointsto increase the lifting or compressive force applied by the legdepending on the configuration of the cords. The user can also performjumping maneuvers when the feet are attached to the deck. The secondconfiguration will be more challenging than the first configuration forthe user because the ball shaped apex under the nose and the tail allowsmore movement around the X, Y, and Z axis decreasing the stability ofthe device.

The board sports trainer is designed to have multiple overhanging pointsdesigned to prevent damage to the deck and to prevent the deck fromdamaging the surface the board sports trainer is being used on.

Along the outer edge of the board sports trainer there is at least one(and typically a plurality of) attachment point. One or more linkagescomposed of elastic, non-elastic or rigid rope, cord, or bands or thelike, herein referred to simply as band, can be attached in anycombination to the attachment point.

The user adopts an athletic stance on the deck, which is attached to theboard sports trainer. The board sports trainer attached to the deckbeing used by a user is herein referred to as the system. The user,while balancing the system can hold a band in one hand or the user canhold a plurality of band in both hands. As the user moves through anyconceivable body movement, for example a squat, tension in the band willincrease as the user moves the band away from the attachment point. Asthe band is moved further from the attachment point tension in the bandwill increase. The tension force in the band is transmitted to thedevice through the attachment points located on the outer edge of thedevice. In order for the system to remain balanced, or in equilibrium,the net force on the system should be zero. In order for the net forceon the system to remain zero, the user needs counteract the changingforces in the device by using muscles in the body to apply an equal andopposite force on the device to the forces inputted through the bandsattached to the device.

This system simulates ground reaction forces (known to those familiar inthe art of physics): the force exerted by the ground (in this examplethe device) on a body (in this example the user) in contact with it. Forexample, if two bands are attached to the device at two attachmentspoints located on the toe side of the deck, as seen in FIG. 8 a and FIG.8 b, as the user moves through any conceivable body movement, forexample a squat, the force transmitted to the device through the bandsattached via the attachment points will create a ground reaction forceon the toe side of the deck. The user should use the same muscles andmovements to maintain the system in equilibrium (or balance) as requiredto control and turn a snowboard, surfboard, or the like.

The above example holds true if two bands are attached to the device onthe heel side of the device, the nose, the tail, or any conceivablearrangement.

FIG. 1 shows a non-limiting example of a device 101 for full-body boardsports training. Although the board sports trainer 101 can be formed asa single piece or three pieces or more, in this example, it is indicatedas comprising of two pieces 117 and 117′ which mirror each other.Accordingly, each piece 117 and 117′ includes the same components. Thecomponents of 117′ seen in FIG. 1 are labeled identical to thecomponents of 117 with the addition of an apostrophe (′). For example,the force-transmit attachment points 215 can be seen on piece 117 and isidentical to the force-transmit attachment points 215′ on piece 117′. Itis to be understood that the apostrophe (′) simply differentiates thetwo identical and mirror image pieces of the device. In variations theboard sports trainer 101 can comprise of a larger number of pieces andthe pieces may or may not mirror each other. In variations, the piecescan be attached through attachment mechanisms to each other (not shown).

The example piece 117 includes a support surface 203, force-transmitattachment points 215, and a board securing mechanism 207 as shown. Itis to be understood that any securing mechanism known by those skilledin the art can be used. It is to be understood that the force-transmitattachment points 215 can be located anywhere on the outer edge of thesupport surface 203. In FIG. 1, one non-limiting configuration of theforce-transmit linkage, in this example a band 211 is shown.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the example piece 117. The deck support surface203, the force-transmit attachment points 215, and the board securingmechanism 207 are shown and the band 211 can all be seen.

FIG. 3 is an inferior view of the example piece 117. The inferior sideof the deck support surface 203 can be seen. The cone shape of theunderlying unbalanced surface 311 is also indicated. It is to beunderstood that the unbalanced surface 311 can take on any shapeincluding but not limited to circular, cone, rectangular, etc.Furthermore, it is to be understood that any material including but notlimited to compressible foam or inflatable bladder that creates anunbalanced surface mimicking the sensation of balancing on a deck can beused. Overhanging points 205 can be seen. The overhanging points 205 aredesigned to prevent the edge of the deck from coming in contact with theground. The overhanging points 205 are can be made from compressiblematerial including but not limited to foam, plastic, rubber or the like.Although in this example implementation, overhanging point are pointedtips, in other implementations other shapes can be used.

FIG. 4 is an inferior view of the example piece 117. The deck supportsurface 203 can be seen. The underlying unbalanced surface 311 is shown.The overhanging points 205 can be seen.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section represented by the hashed line in FIG. 1 ofthe example piece 117. The deck support surface 203 can be seen. Theunderlying unbalanced surface 311 can also be seen. The force-transmitattachment points 215 can be seen. Overhanging points 205 can be seen.

FIG. 6 a, FIG. 8 a, FIG. 9 a, FIG. 6 b, FIG. 8 b, and FIG. 9 b show twoconfigurations of how the pieces 117 and 117′ of the board sportstrainer 101 can be oriented on the deck. The board sports trainer seenin FIG. 6 a, FIG. 8 a, and FIG. 9 a is set up in the firstconfiguration. The flat base of the underlying unbalanced surface of onepiece sits under the nose of the deck and the flat base of theunderlying surface of the second piece sits under the tail of the deck.The apex ball shape is placed toward the midline of the deck as seen inFIG. 9 a (user not shown).

The board sports trainer seen in FIG. 6 b, FIG. 8 b, and FIG. 9 b is setup in the second configuration. The apex ball shape of the underlyingunbalanced surface of one piece sits under the nose of the deck and theapex of the underlying unbalanced surface of the second piece sits underthe tail of the deck. The flat base is placed toward the midline of thedeck as seen in FIG. 9 b (user not shown).

FIG. 7 show the device 101 attached to an existing deck 182. The deck182 is secured to the pieces by the securing mechanism 207. Bands (notshown) can attach at any force-transmit attachment point 215.

FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b shows the device in use. The user adopts anathletic stance. As the user performs movements known by those skilledin the art of board sports the bands 211 will be under different degreesof tension. A tension force is transmitted into the device through theforce-transmit attachment points 215. As the forces transmitted into thedevice change the user will have to apply equal and opposite force tothe tension in the band in order to maintain the system in equilibriumas described above.

The presented embodiment is characterized by a board support surface 203that can have a generally flat design to accommodate the attachment of adeck. In one non-limiting example, the board support surface 203 can bedesigned to be flexible to allow different shapes of various decks, forexample, snowboards, skateboards, surfboards, paddle boards, wakeboards,or the like. The board support surface 203 can be designed to have ahigh coefficient of static friction while still being soft to preventdamage to the deck. A suitable material such as rubber, foam, plastic,wood, woven fivers, or other suitable materials that will now occur to aperson of skill in the art can be used.

The deck can be secured to the board support surface 203 by the boardsecuring mechanism 207. It is understood that any mechanism known tothose skilled in the art can be used to attach the deck to the device.In this example implementation a tie-down mechanism as known by thoseskilled in the art is show as the securing mechanism 207. The boardsecuring mechanism 207 holds the board tightly against the board supportsurface 203. The board securing mechanism 207 is designed from asuitable material to prevent damage to the deck such as plastic clips,rubber coated fasteners, rope, clamps, or the like.

The underlying unbalanced surface 311 can be made of wood, plastic,metal, foam, air bladder, or other solid or deformable material. As theunderlying unbalanced surface comes in contact with the ground theunderlying unbalanced surface will deform under the weight of the user.By using a suitable material such as foam, rubber, air bladder, or thelike, the underlying unbalanced surface will give the sensation ofbalancing and maneuvering a deck on the snow, water, or pavement.

The force-transmit attachment points 215 can be anywhere along edge ofthe board support surface 203. The force-transmit attachment points 215allow for attachment of the bands 211. The bands 211 can have theability to attach to any combination of the force-transmit attachmentpoints 215. The user can stand on the board sports trainer and hold thebands 211 with the hands. As the user moves through various movementsknown to those skilled in the art, for example, squats, pivots, turns,overhead arm movements, etc. forces will be transmitted from the userthe device through the bands 211. The user will have to apply an equaland opposite force using the muscles of the body to keep the system inbalance. This will increase the users' ability to adapt to subtlechanges in forces similar to those experienced when performing boardsports.

The board sports trainer 101 attaches to an existing deck via the boardsecuring mechanism 207. The board securing mechanism is designed to holdan existing deck firmly and securely to the device. In one non-limitingexample, a simple winch mechanism known by those skilled in the art canbe used to firmly and securely attach the deck to the device.

As shown in FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b the user adopts an athletic stance onthe deck as it is connected to the board sports trainer 101. As the userbegins to train on the device the pieces 117 and 117′ are placed inseries underneath the deck. The base of one unit of the underlyingsurface of the board sports trainer sits under the nose and the base ofthe second unit sits under the tail of the deck as seen in FIG. 6 a,FIG. 8 a, and FIG. 9 a. This allows the user to practice balanceprimarily in the X-axis as seen in FIG. 9 a, although movement in theY-axis and Z-axis can also occur. As the user's skill increases the apexof one unit of the underlying surface of the board sports trainer cansit under the nose and the apex of the second unit sits under the tailas shown in FIG. 6 b, FIG. 8 b, and FIG. 9 b. When the user trains inthis configuration, movement will occur in a multi-planar manner aroundthe X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis as seen in FIG. 9 b.

We claim:
 1. A board-sport training device comprising: at least onepiece having an underlying unbalanced surface, the unbalanced surfaceshaped to be unstable when placed on a ground, the at least one piecefurther having a support surface for supporting a deck; and at least onesecuring mechanism for reversibly attaching the support surface againsta bottom surface of the deck, the reversible attachment securing the atleast one piece to the deck such that the movement of at least one piecewith respect to the deck is restrained.
 2. The board-sport trainingdevice of claim 1 wherein each securing mechanism is one of a clasp anda tie-down mechanism.
 3. The board-sport training device of claim 1wherein, the unbalanced surface comprises a conical shape with the baseof the conical shape being flat and the apex of the conical shape beingspherical.
 4. The board-sport training device of claim 3 wherein, thelongitudinal axis of the conical shape is in parallel with alongitudinal axis of the at least one piece.
 5. The board-sport trainingdevice of claim 1 wherein, the unbalanced surface comprises acylindrical shape, the ends of the cylindrical shape being spherical. 6.The board-sport training device of claim 1 wherein the device comprisesa plurality of pieces and the unbalanced surface of at least one of theplurality of pieces comprises a shape that is different from the shapeof the unbalanced surface of other plurality of pieces.
 7. Theboard-sport training device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises aplurality of pieces and the unbalanced surface of each piece comprisesthe same shape.
 8. The board-sport training device of claim 1 whereinthe device comprises two identical pieces.
 9. The board-sport trainingdevice of claim 8 wherein the unbalanced surface of each piece comprisesa conical shape, with the base of the conical shape being flat and theapex of the conical shape being spherical.
 10. The board-sport trainingdevice of claim 1 wherein the at least one piece includes at least oneoverhanging point, the at least one overhanging point shaped to preventthe deck from coming into contact with the ground when the trainingdevice is tilted in use.
 11. The board-sport training device of claim 10wherein the at least one overhanging point comprises a compressiblematerial.
 12. The board-sport training device of claim 11 wherein thecompressible material comprises at least one of foam, plastic andrubber.
 13. The board-sport training device of claim 10 wherein the atleast one overhanging point is in the shape of a pointed tip.
 14. Theboard-sport training device of claim, the device further comprising: atleast one attachment point for attaching at least one linkage.
 15. Theboard-sport training device of claim 14 wherein the at least oneattachment point is arranged along an outer edge of the at least onepiece.
 16. The board-sport training device of claim 14 wherein eachlinkage comprises at least one of rope, cord and band.
 17. Theboard-sport training device of claim 14 wherein each linkage is one ofelastic, non-elastic and rigid.
 18. A method of training based on aboard-sport training device comprising: reversibly attaching, through asecuring mechanism, the training device to a deck such that the movementof at least one piece with respect to the deck is restrained; resting abottom surface of the training device on the ground, the bottom surfacehaving an unbalanced shape; tilting the training with respect to theground based on the unbalanced surface; and receiving a reciprocal forceat the training device, based on the tilting, through a linkagemechanism attached to the training device.